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Couture

42 images Created 19 Feb 2009

Couture

English couturier Margaret Howell's fine clothing business is a behind-the-scenes (unpublished) chapter for the book The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work by Alain de Botton.

These pictures are from her north London design factory with a team of dedicated seamstresses and tailors, and her flagship shop in Wigmore Street in central London, where her collection's catwalk shows appear and where customers can buy her simple and beautiful handmade garments that are in big demand all over the world. But especially in Japan.

Howell is one of Britain's more understated of couture brands alongside more flamboyant personalities. Howell admits to being "inspired by the methods by which something is made .. enjoying the tactile quality of natural fabrics such as tweeds, linen and cotton in a relaxed, natural and lived in look."

A blog story about the project's photography is at:
http://wp.me/p3fbj-4j

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  • Girl model starts her catwalk at British couture designer Margaret Howell's Autumn fashion show in her design studio
    margaret_howell_show134-17-09-2007.jpg
  • A detail showing the fine stitching of a cotton dress by couturier Margaret Howell in the company's workshop factory in Edmonton, North London. England. In close-up, the eye is drawn into the centre of focus where the buttons are held in a criss-cross stich in its four holes. There are pins in this still prototype design as it evolves from an idea on paper to an actual garment. The fine check pattern of its fabric is beautifully sewn together in this fine and intricate dress. Howell is one of Britain's more understated of couture brands alongside more flamboyant personalities. Howell admits to being "inspired by the methods by which something is made .. enjoying the tactile quality of natural fabrics such as tweeds, linen and cotton in a relaxed, natural and lived in look."
    margaret_howell06123-05-2007 .jpg
  • An employee of British couturier Margaret Howell models a simple white top in the company's retail flagship and design studio at 34 Wigmore Street, Central London England. In a back rooom studio workshop, the group of 5 staff with Margaret Howell in the middle, they dicsuss the positives of the garment that is considered for a forthcoming collection. Racks of clothes are in the background and they sit around a trestle table. Howell is one of Britain's more understated of couture brands alongside more flamboyant personalities. Howell admits to being "inspired by the methods by which something is made .. enjoying the tactile quality of natural fabrics such as tweeds, linen and cotton in a relaxed, natural and lived in look."
    margaret howell (shop)87-04-07-2007.jpg
  • British couturier Margaret Howell holds a meeting takes place to discuss fabrics for the next fashion show at her studio
    margaret howell (shop)37-04-07-2007.jpg
  • A model waits for more test clothes for the next fashion show at British couturier Margaret Howell's Wigmore Street studio
    margaret howell (shop)54-04-07-2007.jpg
  • A glazier carries new glass panes from his van outside British couturier Margaret Howell's Wigmore Street studio
    margaret howell (shop)58-04-07-2007.jpg
  • A tailor uses an Eastman Bluestreak II cloth cutting machine at couturier Margaret Howell's Edmonton workshop factory
    margaret_howell00723-05-2007 .jpg
  • Fine cloth cutting with scissors using a template pattern in the design studio at couturier Margaret Howell's workshop factory
    margaret_howell03223-05-2007 .jpg
  • Garment production order form and pins in the design studio at couturier Margaret Howell's Edmonton workshop factory
    margaret_howell02323-05-2007 .jpg
  • Shades of yellow and brown coloured cotton threads are seen in an open drawer used by couturier Margaret Howell is displayed in the company's workshop in Edmonton, North London. England. They lies diagonally, as flat neighbouring tones and ready for use in the many fine garments manufactured in this small factory. Howell is one of Britain's more understated of couture brands alongside more flamboyant personalities. Howell admits to being "inspired by the methods by which something is made .. enjoying the tactile quality of natural fabrics such as tweeds, linen and cotton in a relaxed, natural and lived in look."
    margaret_howell19223-05-2007 .jpg
  • A detail showing the fine stitching of a cotton dress in the design studio at couturier Margaret Howell's workshop factory
    margaret howell (shop)63-04-07-2007.jpg
  • Detail showing the fine stiching of a cotton dress in the design studio at couturier Margaret Howell's Edmonton workshop factory
    margaret_howell07023-05-2007 .jpg
  • A garment tailor works with mannequins in the design studio at couturier Margaret Howell's Edmonton workshop factory
    margaret_howell07623-05-2007 .jpg
  • A seamstress runs up garments on a sewing machine at couturier Margaret Howell's Edmonton workshop factory
    margaret_howell13623-05-2007 .jpg
  • A seamstress runs up garments on a sewing machine at couturier Margaret Howell's Edmonton workshop factory
    margaret_howell14923-05-2007 .jpg
  • Detail of a seamstress runs up garments on a sewing machine at couturier Margaret Howell's Edmonton workshop factory
    margaret_howell15223-05-2007 .jpg
  • Portrait of a seamstress with her sewing machine at couturier Margaret Howell's Edmonton workshop factory
    margaret_howell18223-05-2007 .jpg
  • Labelled wool rolled up on a shelf ready for tayloring in the design studio at couturier Margaret Howell's workshop
    margaret_howell21423-05-2007 .jpg
  • A customer tries on shirts with friends at British couturier Margaret Howell's flagship Wigmore Street London shop
    margaret_howell_shop098-14-07-2007.jpg
  • A customer tries on summer shirts at British couturier Margaret Howell's flagship Wigmore Street London shop
    margaret_howell_shop104-14-07-2007.jpg
  • A customer tries on shirts in a dressing room at British couturier Margaret Howell's flagship Wigmore Street London shop
    margaret_howell_shop123-14-07-2007.jpg
  • A customer tries on a jacket with pet dog at British couturier Margaret Howell's flagship Wigmore Street London shop
    margaret_howell_shop136-14-07-2007.jpg
  • Polaroid print for fashion model Flavia de Oliveira on a rack of her clothes to wear at designer Margaret Howell's Autumn show
    margaret_howell_show003-17-09-2007.jpg
  • Clothes and model running order at British couture designer Margaret Howell's Autumn fashion show in her design studio and shop
    margaret_howell_show034-17-09-2007.jpg
  • Make-up and hair stylists ready models at British couture designer Margaret Howell's Autumn fashion show in her design studio
    margaret_howell_show046-17-09-2007.jpg
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